Life of a woman in riyadh

Alliecat wrote:

Interesting thread since the discussion is  similar to a battle I was involved in last month on the now defunct 'Dating in Saudi Arabia'!

So guess I'll add my two halalas.  Having just read through this thread completely for the first time, I find myself sympathizing with Btw.  It seems to me that she simply explained things from a strict Muslim point of view.  She never said it was right or the woman HAS to conform with the information she's relating.

Pretty funny, actually, that high heels could cause such an ruckus!! 

But, Btw, once you're here you'll see that the way it's *supposed* to be isn't always the way it is. I've often seen Saudi women wearing heels, especially working women (in direct contrast to the *other* ones who are wearing converse sneakers!).  If you need a decent pair of work shoes, they're very difficult to find in Riyadh because all the hundreds of high-end shops in the malls mostly carry heels!!  They're very fashionable and quite beautiful but you're taking your life in your hands to wear them lol

Thank you for understanding my point allie, I kept on and on reiterating that my answer was based on Islamic evidence and not on any culture, of course people are free to ignore the facts and practice what they wish. Heels like smoking is popular all over the world and undoubtedly Saudi isn't that much different in most areas.

EastLondon wrote:

off topic

JazakAllah khayr ill defo check this out- might become my second expat home lol

Btwn-Fear-N-Hope wrote:

P.s. allie I usually avoid religious debate hence I refrained from that last one and even attempted to change the topic towards the end.

Even in this thread I did not say it is haram/forbidden I simply said it was discouraged and I presented the reasons why they are discouraged feeling that they made logical sense.

Logical sense when viewed from Islamic perspective and text.

Oh I totally understood but I guess I was able to read it dispassionately since I wasn't involved.

You were relaying information in a very matter-of-fact way to a Muslim convert who had questions.  You were in no way *pushing* these beliefs, you were just relaying information.

Alliecat wrote:

Btwn-Fear-N-Hope wrote:

P.s. allie I usually avoid religious debate hence I refrained from that last one and even attempted to change the topic towards the end.

Even in this thread I did not say it is haram/forbidden I simply said it was discouraged and I presented the reasons why they are discouraged feeling that they made logical sense.

Logical sense when viewed from Islamic perspective and text.

Oh I totally understood but I guess I was able to read it dispassionately since I wasn't involved.

You were relaying information in a very matter-of-fact way to a Muslim convert who had questions.  You were in no way *pushing* these beliefs, you were just relaying information.

Alhamdulillah it's good to know I wasn't out of line and what I wrote came across as intended.

EastLondon wrote:

This is not an islamic forum and refute /refrain ppl from talking about islam and the negativity of saudis on here

True Akhee this isn't an Islamic forum however when someone asks something relating to Islam I believe it's upto Muslims to convey the answer.

m.b.m88 wrote:

There are many prohibitions for muslim women in KSA.

fixed that for you


In all realisticness, the only prohibition that western women have that are not muslim is that they cannot drive.

I dont count an abaya as a prohibition, due to the lack of clothing needed under in the heat. Ive known women that roll around in bikinis under the abaya hah

desertlifestyle:
the life of sauid women is the most modren , fashionable ,, glamorious and Luxurious.. than any westren lady

The difference is Western women who are not superfluous. Because there is so much to do ends up being a Saudi woman westernmost because there are fashion magazines and beauty, which mentions that Saudi women spend much because the only business they have is to stay home or go to the mall.

Westerners know so luxury and comfort, but us live without "wanting to display". That's what God taught us is not?

Freshlikesushi Who is idiots

If you are referring people of the forum, please get outta here. Here is not place for people troublemakers.
if not add anything of value, be silent.
Thank you for your understanding and education.

anaexpat wrote:

1. they can hang out with friends, as also Westerners does?

they need special permission from local authorities to do so. In some cases, the suprime court gets involved to issue that paper work
2. they can make dinners at home and share the same the home environment?
yes they can, as long as they invite everyone reading this post

3. they(couple) sleep together in the same bed?
NO! Most mattresses in KSA are twin beds for a reason

4. women can walk freely inside the house when the husband receives a visit from his friends?

Exit-Entry visa is required to cross the kitchen borders, or migrate from bedroom to living room

5. It allowed colored clothes?

either black or white. saudis are straight forward, no grey areas

6. It allowed shoes high heels?
and wheels


SERIOUSLY !!!

Woow. We have to meet girl, ididnt read all the convo. But it has already some wrong idea about saudi.   Islam is easy dont complicate it by overthinking about small things,. Also our black abaya is a traditiinal and custom more than islamic appearance.

So for these comments cease. At no time was questioned "The Islam" but life in riyadh and the Saudi laws.

Or do you think that not there is Islam in the West?!?

That mania that people have to distort the questions. And insist about on speaking the Islam.
I don't want to talk about religion. Would many issues in which each person understands in a way the Qu'ran. So much so that life in Saudi Arabia fully away from the way of life of Egypt, and the two follow the same religion. So What I discussed is only about CULTURE and NOT ABOUT religion.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW THE DIFFERENCE OF CULTURE TO RELIGION.. When I questioned these questions I didn't think it would be seen that way.
The answers have taken another direction, another path.
Were only questioning Islam.
(The question is about life, the everyday lifestyle of women living in riyadh and not ABOUT ISLAM)

I hope that is clear. And before you comment the good would be to read all the comments.

As-Salam Aleikum

pollyramos wrote:

Thank you for the feedback.  I very much appreciate it.  I should be in Riyadh late November and teaching at Princess Noura University.  Is there anyone on this site who is either teaching in Riyadh or at PNU.  I would very much appreciate making friends with individuals while I am there.

@polly your post will get lost on *this* thread since it's not pertaining to PNU.  However, there are several threads on teaching in KSA (PNU in particular) so I suggest you post there to get maximum exposure

Btwn-Fear-N-Hope wrote:

It's interesting knowing that some places do allow free mixing. Hospitals I just discovered today are very liberal- I was called conservative for asking to see a female doctor.

Well wait.  The thing about doctors here is that they never touch you, or even look at you, usually lol  They ask you what is wrong and they start ordering tests and writing prescriptions. 

Isn't that what happened?

If you have to return, it's another round of tests and yet more prescriptions!

Some hospitals are a bit stricter.  Staff mixes but all the women have to cover their heads (I'm thinking of SMC).

m.b.m88 wrote:

Salaam,
I would like to know the life of a Muslim Saudi woman or Muslim converted woman (foreign).

How is the life of a Muslim wife, middle class or upper middle class?
How is the life of a couple?
1. they can hang out with friends, as also Westerners does?
2. they can make dinners at home and share the same the home environment?
3. they(couple) sleep together in the same bed?
4. women can walk freely inside the house when the husband receives a visit from his friends?
5. It allowed colored clothes?
6. It allowed shoes high heels?

Thanks:)
Salaam Aleikum

Alliecat wrote:

Btwn-Fear-N-Hope wrote:

It's interesting knowing that some places do allow free mixing. Hospitals I just discovered today are very liberal- I was called conservative for asking to see a female doctor.

Well wait.  The thing about doctors here is that they never touch you, or even look at you, usually lol  They ask you what is wrong and they start ordering tests and writing prescriptions. 

Isn't that what happened?

If you have to return, it's another round of tests and yet more prescriptions!

Some hospitals are a bit stricter.  Staff mixes but all the women have to cover their heads (I'm thinking of SMC).

Well I asked for a female doctor and she examined me properly, I was vomiting and feeling very nauseous- she examined my abdomen so deeply I'm sure she even felt my ovarian tubes lol.

Buy yeah she prescribed a bunch of medicines which I never ended up using- the intravenous injection to stop the nausea was sufficient.